Deer River, MN (Zone 3b) | October 2003 | positive
Very few tall beardeds (TBs) can survive my growing conditions. This northern MN zone 3b climate inflicts severe, extended cold during t...Read Morehe winter months, often with little snow cover for insulation. Summer temps can exceed 90 degrees F. My soil is very heavy, compacted clay with a slightly acid pH. A large local deer population frequently tramples and sometimes grazes on my irises in early spring and late fall. Iris borers are present but managed successfully with a granular systemic grub control product. Weeds are abundant and only occasionally beaten back by an admittedly lazy gardener (yours truly). Fertilization is inconsistent, when provided at all. Most TBs here are growing with less than 6 hrs of sun per day, so growth and bloom are not what they could be under full sun conditions. I have lost hundreds of weaker TB cultivars over the years, so the few that have managed to survive are worthy of high praise.
ZURICH is my favorite white TB. It is extremely vigorous and a reliable bloomer (reported rebloomer in USDA zones 5-10). It does occasionally suffer from bacterial soft rot but outgrows it readily without treatment. It is such a rampant grower, in fact, that it will crowd itself out, exhaust its soil, and quit blooming if not divided regularly (I do have this one planted in better soil in a full sun location). I highly recommend this cultivar.
Reblooms, reblooms, reblooms! Healthy, great growing plant. Recommended.
Very few tall beardeds (TBs) can survive my growing conditions. This northern MN zone 3b climate inflicts severe, extended cold during t...Read More